Man Fatally Shot While Accelerating Toward Plant City Police

PLANT CITY, FL — Plant City Police have released the name of a man killed in a shooting involving two Plant City Police officers.

Around 6 a.m. Sunday, Plant City Police found a stolen vehicle parked next to a 6-foot chain-link fence surrounding a home on Spooner Drive. The car had been stolen Saturday at 8:46 p.m. during an attempted robbery at the Mobile Gas Station, 2203 S. Alexander St.

Cpl. Gerald Baker and Officer Christian Lopez approached the vehicle and, using flashlights, saw that someone was inside the car. As they announced their presence, began to accelerate toward Baker, who was pinned against the fence.

Both Baker and Lopez fired at the driver, Steven Kerr Jr., 25. Kerr died of a single gunshot wound from Baker's gun.

Baker is a 14-year veteran of the Plant City Police Department and Lopez has been with the department seven years.

Both officers have been placed on administrative leave pending the completion of the investigation.